Staying Fit at Work
By Sara Butler
When you work in an office and sit behind a desk all day, it can really cramp your fitness style. More and more studies are emerging that show even exercising for an hour per day can’t overcome the impact sitting all day does to your health. The answer is to incorporate more movement into your day. Here are a few tips to help you get your groove on even when you’re at the office.
Ditch the Office Chair
You’ve heard of a standing desk and if that’s your thing feel free to go for it, but there are other options available to you aside from standing or sitting in a chair. You can get rid of your classic office chair and use an exercise ball instead. This will help to encourage movement throughout the day, as you’re unconsciously forced to stay balanced as you work. It engages your core, helping you to challenge your body all day – and you may not even notice you’re doing it! You can also incorporate small exercise into your day by flexing your core and hip muscles as you work.
Make Technology Work for You
Almost every single mobile device available today has an alarm you can use to set up reminders. Set yours for every 45 minutes to remind you to get up and do at least five minutes of exercise. Try squats, deep breathing, stretches, and a few arm swings to get your blood pumping. Over the course of the workday, this five-minute window will add up to 40 or more minutes of movement.
Get into Gear
You can use small gadgets in your office to keep your body moving too. You can buy foot pedals that allow you to work out your lower body just as you would on a bike – and it’s so small, it fits right under the desk. You can use resistance bands to hook over your foot and do arm exercises as you’re reading or on a conference call. They even sell small weights you can use to do some standing lifts.
You must find ways to incorporate more movement into your day. Start it in the morning by parking far away from your office and walking, or try riding your bike to work if you can. Just get yourself moving so you can keep your health a priority in your day!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Fitchburg, Wis.